The UTEP Compliance Office is committed to protecting the eligibility of our student-athletes and ensuring compliance with all UTEP, C-USA, NCAA and State of Texas legislation regarding athlete agents. Please review this information carefully and contact the Compliance Office with any questions or concerns.

NCAA Bylaws Governing Interaction Between Student-Athletes and Agents

12.3 USE OF AGENTS

12.3.1 General Rule. An individual shall be ineligible for participation in an intercollegiate sport if he or she ever has agreed (orally or in writing) to be represented by an agent for the purpose of marketing his or her athletics ability or reputation in that sport. Further, an agency contract not specifically limited in writing to a sport or particular sports shall be deemed applicable to all sports, and the individual shall be ineligible to participate in any sport.

12.3.1.1 Representation for Future Negotiations. An individual shall be ineligible per Bylaw 12.3.1 if he or she enters into a verbal or written agreement with an agent for representation in future professional sports negotiations that are to take place after the individual has completed his or her eligibility in that sport.

12.3.1.2 Benefits from Prospective Agents. An individual shall be ineligible per Bylaw 12.3.1 if he or she (or his or her relatives or friends) accepts transportation or other benefits from:

a) Any person who represents any individual in the marketing of his or her athletics ability. The receipt of such expenses constitutes compensation based on athletics skill and is an extra benefit not available to the student body in general; or
b) An agent, even if the agent has indicated that he or she has no interest in representing the student-athlete in the marketing of his or her athletics ability or reputation and does not represent individuals in the student-athlete's sport.

12.3.2 Legal Counsel. Securing advice from a lawyer concerning a proposed professional sports contract shall not be considered contracting for representation by an agent under this rule, unless the lawyer also represents the individual in negotiations for such a contract.

12.3.2.1 Presence of a Lawyer at Negotiations. A lawyer may not be present during discussions of a contract offer with a professional organization or have any direct contact (in person, by telephone or by mail) with a professional sports organization on behalf of the individual. A lawyer's presence during such discussions is considered representation by an agent.

University of Texas at El Paso policy and Texas law prohibits any athlete agent from contacting student-athletes with eligibility remaining without coordinating such contact through the Compliance Office. The UTEP Student-Athlete Agent Policy sets forth all institutional regulations regarding athlete-agents.

The Texas Agent Act is state law that restricts the activities of athlete agents in the State of Texas and those wishing to represent student-athletes enrolled at collegiate institutions in the State of Texas.

Please review the list of frequently asked questions regarding the Texas Agent Act. This list was developed by The Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Texas.

Visitation Period

UTEP has scheduled a time period in which we will arrange meetings between registered Sports Agents and our student-athletes. This time period has been set for April 20th through April 30th, 2011.

*Please note that only sports agents registered with the State of Texas will be provided the opportunity to meet with our student-athletes. Interviews will only be scheduled with student-athletes entering their last year of intercollegiate athletics eligibility.